Figure 3 amended [23 January 2015] to correct error in text.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSETo analyse the relative contribution of b1-, b2-and b3-adrenoceptors (Adrb) to vasodilatation in conductance and resistance vessels, assessing the role of cAMP and/or NO/cGMP signalling pathways.
EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHRat mesenteric resistance artery (MRA) and aorta were used to analyse the Adrb expression by real-time-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and for the pharmacological characterization of Adrb-mediated activity by wire myography and tissue nucleotide accumulation.
KEY RESULTSThe mRNAs and protein for all Adrb were identified in endothelium and/or smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in both vessels. In MRA, Adrb1 signalled through cAMP, Adrb3 through both cAMP and cGMP, but Adrb2, did not activate nucleotide formation; isoprenaline relaxation was inhibited by propranolol (b1, b2), CGP20712A (b1), and SQ22536 (adenylyl cyclase inhibitor), but not by ICI118,551 (b2), SR59230A (b3), ODQ (soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor), L-NAME or endothelium removal. In aorta, Adrb1 signalled through cAMP, while b2-and b3-subtypes through cGMP; isoprenaline relaxation was inhibited by propranolol, ICI118,551, ODQ, L-NAME, and to a lesser extent, by endothelium removal. CL316243 (b3-agonist) relaxed aorta, but not MRA.
CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONDespite all three Adrb subtypes being found in both vessels, Adrb1, located in SMCs and acting through the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP pathway, are primarily responsible for vasodilatation in MRA. However, Adrb-mediated vasodilatation in aorta is driven by endothelial Adrb2 and Adrb3, but also by the Adrb2 present in SMCs, and is coupled to the NO/cGMP pathway. These results could help to understand the different physiological roles played by Adrb signalling in regulating conductance and resistance vessels.